The Worship Keys Podcast

In this episode, we welcome Curt Buell back! He covers five crucial techniques every Hammond B3 organist should know for playing in church settings. Topics include glissandos and slides, walking bass lines, inversions and voice leading, church walk-ups, and major/minor blues licks. Curt also shares a preview of his Organ Masterclass, where these techniques are explored in greater detail

Curt Buell

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We welcome back Curt Buell to the podcast for an in-depth tutorial on the Hammond B3 organ. Curt provides an extensive overview of the organ's features, including its drawbars, vibrato settings, presets, and expression pedals. He demonstrates the dynamic range and the versatility of the B3, offering practical tips and favorite settings for various musical contexts, especially for church and contemporary music. Curt also introduces his organ masterclass, designed to elevate your organ-playing skills with advanced techniques and music theory. Join us for this comprehensive guide to mastering the Hammond B3 organ.

Curt Buell

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Welcome to Part 2 with Otto Gross, an exceptionally talented and creative pianist. Otto shares tips for improvisation, playing in different church settings, mastering scales, chords, rhythms, and more. Discover Otto's techniques on playing dominant chords, utilizing pentatonic scales, and integrating bluesy elements to enhance your keys playing.

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Carson talks with Otto Gross II, an accomplished multi-instrumentalist and worship director at a church in Nashville, TN. Otto shares his journey through scoliosis surgery, discovering his love for the piano, graduating from Berklee College of Music, and his time playing keys on the road with Eddie James Ministries. Otto also discusses his personal production ventures, including the #OttoDailyDitty series and his contributions to children's music education. Tune in for an enriching conversation filled with life lessons, musical insights, and a demonstration of Otto's incredible talent.

FREE eBook

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This is Part 2 with Tyler Wester from Church of the Highlands in Alabama. He shares his journey from MainStage to Ableton, breaks down his go-to piano sounds, and gives us a behind-the-scenes look at his custom setup, gear, favorite plugins, his tracks rig, and more. They also dive into the creative process behind the Church of the Highlands’ Christmas program, why practice and music theory matter for key players, and how to take your worship sound to the next level. Plus, Tyler gives a live demo on playing piano under a pastor’s sermon, perfect for anyone looking to refine their skills in a worship setting.

FREE eBook
Church of the Highlands

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Carson interviews Tyler Wester, the musical director of the multi-site Church of the Highlands in Alabama. Tyler shares his journey from learning piano as a child to being full time with Highlands for nearly a decade, offering valuable insight into the heart and logistics of his music ministry. Tyler breaks down the key differences between megachurch worship and smaller church settings, the pursuit of musical excellence in a ministry setting, and practical tips for effective music directing (MDing on stage). Get a behind-the-scenes look at how Church of the Highlands creates seamless worship experiences across multiple campuses. Whether you're a worship leader, musician, or passionate about church music, this conversation will equip and inspire you.

FREE eBook
Church of the Highlands

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Welcome Austin Seale from Seale Keyworks. Austin, who just tuned my Acrosonic Baldwin upright piano, shares insights into the world of piano maintenance and tuning. We discuss the success of Seale Keyworks and its comprehensive services that has been around for 40 years now, including moving, tuning repair, restoration, player systems, and sales. Austin offers valuable advice for worship leaders and piano owners on proper piano care, common misconceptions, and tips for aspiring piano tuners. Listen to Austin's journey in piano tuning, and the importance of regular maintenance, and explore the fascinating technologies behind modern tuning devices. Perfect for anyone considering a career change or needing expert piano care. Plus, learn about a chance to win a free piano tuning!

Seale Keyworks
Win FREE professional piano tuning
Playing Worship Keys By Ear FREE eBook

Thanks for listening! Subscribe here to the podcast, as well as on YouTube and other social media platforms. If you have any questions or suggestions for who you want as a featured guest in the future or a topic you want to hear, email [email protected]. New episodes release every Wednesday!

Carson sits down with Jin Choi, host of the On Water Podcast and a psychotherapist from Toronto, Canada. They dive deep into the topics of discipleship, heart posture, and the importance of connection within worship teams. Jin shares her personal journey from childhood in a Korean church to her current role at Church on the Queensway. Don't miss her insights on fostering authentic worship both on and off stage, as well as practical advice for creating deeper connections in your church community. Plus, enjoy a special segment featuring different musical instruments that Jin has played throughout her life!

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On Water Podcast
FREE eBook "Playing Worship Keys By Ear"

Thanks for listening! Subscribe here to the podcast, as well as on YouTube and other social media platforms. If you have any questions or suggestions for who you want as a featured guest in the future or a topic you want to hear, email [email protected]. New episodes release every Wednesday!

In this episode of the Worship Keys Podcast, host Carson Bruce dives deep into the world of playback rigs with Seth Penn from Seth Builds Rigs. They discuss the importance of playback tracks in worship settings, how to build pedal boards for keyboards, and explore various levels of playback rig setups from entry-level to pro-level with redundancy. Seth shares his experiences working with notable artists like Ed Sheeran and Steven Curtis Chapman and provides valuable insights into creating efficient and reliable playback systems for churches. Whether you're a small church or managing a multi-campus setup, this episode offers practical tips and detailed explanations to enhance your worship music production.

Seth Build Rigs
Cross Point
Playing Worship By Ear

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In this episode, Carson sits down with Matt McCoy, founder and owner of Loop Community, to discuss the intersection of technology and worship. They dive deep into the vision behind the Worship Innovators Conference, practical implementations of technology in worship services, and making multi-tracks accessible through Prime and other Loop Community products. Matt shares personal stories, insights on integrations, and the importance of preserving personal creativity in worship. Join us for an inspiring conversation designed to help you elevate your worship services to the next level.

Worship Innovators
Loop Community
Help with Tracks
Playing Worship Keys By Ear 

Thanks for listening! Subscribe here to the podcast, as well as on YouTube and other social media platforms. If you have any questions or suggestions for who you want as a featured guest in the future or a topic you want to hear, email [email protected]. New episodes release every Wednesday!

Join Jonathan from Colorado Springs as he shares his experiences and insights on dynamic and spontaneous worship in church services. Jonathan, who works with New Life congregations and 10,000 Fathers and Mothers, delves into the need for worship leaders to also be effective pastors, fostering disciple-making cultures. He reflects on his upbringing in old-school Pentecostal churches and how those experiences shaped his understanding of spontaneity in worship. Jonathan emphasizes the importance of discernment, preparation, and being open to the dynamic relationship between God and the congregation. He offers practical advice for worship leaders, including being aware of the congregation's needs and developing skills for spontaneous worship. Finally, he reminds us that while spontaneity has a place, it should not override the foundational traditional practices of the church. Tune in for a comprehensive discussion on balancing planned worship with the spontaneous movement of the Spirit.

10kFam
Worship Innovators
Playing Worship Keys By Ear

Thanks for listening! Subscribe here to the podcast, as well as on YouTube and other social media platforms. If you have any questions or suggestions for who you want as a featured guest in the future or a topic you want to hear, email [email protected]. New episodes release every Wednesday!

In this episode, Jamie Miley of Ascension Worship dives deep into effective strategies for enhancing worship team collaboration, and avoiding fatigue and burnout in your worship ministry. Learn about the Ascension Network's innovative approach to connecting musicians with local churches, practical tips for managing rehearsals and resources, and the importance of pastoral leadership within worship teams. This was from the Worship Innovators Conference 2024. You can register you and your team for the 2025 conference now. 

Ascension Worship
Playing Worship Keys By Ear

Thanks for listening! Subscribe here to the podcast, as well as on YouTube and other social media platforms. If you have any questions or suggestions for who you want as a featured guest in the future or a topic you want to hear, email [email protected]. New episodes release every Wednesday!

Join Carson Bruce on the Worship Keys Podcast as he welcomes American Idol runner-up Clark Beckham. They delve into the art of reharmonizing worship songs, exploring music theory, industry insights, and the balance between performance and heartfelt worship. Clark shares his musical journey, key influences, and experiences on American Idol while offering practical tips on creating emotionally rich and musically intricate worship arrangements. Perfect for worship musicians and music enthusiasts alike!

Clark Beckham's Music School
Playing Worship Keys By Ear
Nashville System

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In this episode, we dive deep into the world of atmospheric pads with Isaac, the lead owner and sound designer of Aerospace Audio. Discover the inspiration behind their innovative app and pedal, which enhance worship services, songwriting sessions, and performances of all kinds. Isaac shares his journey from a pastor's kid to a worship leader, and eventually to creating groundbreaking audio tools. Plus, enjoy a detailed walkthrough of their various sound packs, practical uses in church settings, and future plans.

Download our FREE eBook: Playing Worship by Ear

YouTube Version

Thanks for listening! Subscribe here to the podcast, as well as on YouTube and other social media platforms. If you have any questions or suggestions for who you want as a featured guest in the future or a topic you want to hear, email [email protected]. New episodes release every Wednesday!

In this episode, we sit down with David, the CEO and founder of Sunday Sounds. Join us for an in-depth discussion about the origins of Sunday Sounds, a pioneering company revolutionizing sound design for worship music. Dive deep into the features of Sunday Keys, including the AI Patch Builder, the app's seamless integration with MIDI controllers, and cost-effective alternatives to high-end keyboards. Whether you're a worship leader, a keys player, or just passionate about music technology, this episode offers valuable insights and practical advice to step up your worship experience.

Sunday Sounds

Playing Worship Keys by Ear FREE eBook

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In this special Christmas edition, join us as we celebrate the holiday with Curt Buell from the Buell Institute of Music. Curt plays some beautiful Christmas tunes with the support of worship pads from Aerospace. Merry Christmas!!

Curt Buell Website
Playing Worship Keys By Ear eBook
Free Silent Night Notation Resource

Thanks for listening! Subscribe here to the podcast, as well as on YouTube and other social media platforms. If you have any questions or suggestions for who you want as a featured guest in the future or a topic you want to hear, email [email protected]. New episodes release every Wednesday!

Carson and Curt Buell dive into playing Christmas songs on the piano without sheet music or chord charts needed. Curt demonstrates his ability by playing various Christmas classics like 'Blue Christmas,' 'Last Christmas,' and 'Carol of the Bells.' They discuss the importance of listening and learning to play by ear, the influence of experience, and tips for improving your piano skills. Curt also shares  his encounter with Mark Lowry, writer of 'Mary, Did You Know.' This episode is perfect for those who are looking to enhance their worship piano skills and impress their family and friends this the holiday seasons.

Curt Buell Website
Playing Worship Keys By Ear eBook
Free Silent Night Notation Resource

Thanks for listening! Subscribe here to the podcast, as well as on YouTube and other social media platforms. If you have any questions or suggestions for who you want as a featured guest in the future or a topic you want to hear, email [email protected]. New episodes release every Wednesday!

Welcome 8-time Grammy-nominated producer and award-winning artist Roger Ryan. Roger shares his profound insights from decades of collaboration with renowned artists such as Whitney Houston, Cece Winans, and Kirk Franklin. Delve into their engaging discussion on reharmonizing and arranging Christmas music, essential techniques, and creative approaches. Roger also sheds light on his inspiring project 'A Time for Hope,' dedicated to raising funds for children in Haiti, and reflects on his role as a professor at Berklee Abu Dhabi. Join them for an enlightening session that culminates with Roger demonstrating practical reharmonization techniques on the keyboard. This episode is a must-watch for anyone looking to infuse fresh creativity into their Christmas music.

Roger Ryan Music website
FREE eBook "Playing Worship Keys By Ears"

Thanks for listening! Subscribe here to the podcast, as well as on YouTube and other social media platforms. If you have any questions or suggestions for who you want as a featured guest in the future or a topic you want to hear, email [email protected]. New episodes release every Wednesday!

Carson Bruce is joined by Curt Buell from the Buell Institute of Music to discuss three different approaches to playing 'Silent Night' on the piano—beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. The episode is filled with tips and insights for enhancing your worship keys playing during the Christmas season, focusing on melody, chord progressions, and embellishments. Special bonus content includes a jazz reharmonization version. Carson and Curt also discuss valuable resources, including Curt's 'Chord Junkies' masterclass and 2 free resources to develop your skills further!

Free Silent Night Notation Resource
Playing Worship Keys By Ear eBook
Curt Buell's Masterclass
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Thanks for listening! Subscribe here to the podcast, as well as on YouTube and other social media platforms. If you have any questions or suggestions for who you want as a featured guest in the future or a topic you want to hear, email [email protected]. New episodes release every Wednesday!

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Click Here to get Georgia's Devotional

Join Carson as he sits down with Georgia Brown Williams to discuss the transformative power of prayer. In this episode, Georgia shares her personal journey through college, the impact of her family, and the significance of maintaining a prayer life. Discover the importance of forgiveness, how to cultivate a prayer space, and the insights behind Georgia’s devotional 'Hi God, It's Me: 20 Days to a Stronger, More Powerful Prayer Life.' With engaging stories, practical advice, and heartfelt discussions, this episode is a valuable resource for anyone looking to deepen their relationship with God through prayer.

Thanks for listening! Subscribe here to the podcast, as well as on YouTube and other social media platforms. If you have any questions or suggestions for who you want as a featured guest in the future or a topic you want to hear, email [email protected]. New episodes release every Wednesday!